KNOXVILLE — Butch Jones joked earlier this week that for all of Daniel McCullers’ progress since his arrival at Tennessee, it was still difficult to get the big man to say more than five words.

So let it be said that during interviews on Friday night after Tennessee’s first practice of training camp, McCullers had several sentences that ran for eight, nine, even 10 words.

His reticence is understandable, given that he is quizzed exhaustively about his weight every time he faces the media. But Friday, after a summer of positive steps, the senior defensive tackle could share much happier news.

McCullers is down to 352 pounds, a weight he thinks is lower than at any time since high school.